Bangladesh Bank’s Human Resources Department has replaced Salah Uddin, the administrator of Social Islami Bank Limited (SIBL), and his associate Rashedul Islam, despite the bank being under a merger process. Executive Director Abul Basar has been appointed as the new administrator. According to regulations, the appointment and removal of administrators fall under the jurisdiction of the Bank Resolution Department (BRD), not the HR department. The move has reportedly sparked strong reactions among central bank officials.

Salah Uddin was appointed as SIBL’s administrator by the BRD in November of the previous year, along with four associates. Officials allege that the replacement occurred without cause and under the direction of a deputy governor and an executive director. The Bank Resolution Act 2026 stipulates that all activities of a troubled bank under resolution must be overseen by the BRD, which holds exclusive authority over administrator appointments and removals.

Some officials argue that bypassing the BRD undermines the legal framework and could jeopardize the ongoing merger process. However, Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan stated that the transfer was part of a routine internal process under the governor’s authority.